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Single Idea 18777

[from 'On Denoting' by Bertrand Russell, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 4. Impossible objects ]

Full Idea

Russell says one won't find the present King of France on the list of bald things, nor on the list of things that are not bald. It would seem that this gives rise to a violation of the law of excluded middle.

Gist of Idea

If the King of France is not bald, and not not-bald, this violates excluded middle

Source

comment on Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by Bernard Linsky - Quantification and Descriptions 2

Book Reference

'Bloomsbury Companion to Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Horsten,L/Pettigrew,R [Bloomsbury 2014], p.86


A Reaction

It's a bit hard to accuse the poor old King of violating a law when he doesn't exist.